Mountain Lion Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Puma concolor)

Carnivore scat is tubular, often twisted and tapered at one end, and full of hair, bone fragments, berries or seeds depending on the season. Dog-family tracks show four toes with claw marks and an X drawn between the pads; cat-family tracks show four toes with no claws and a three-lobed heel pad. Many carnivores leave scat on trails, rocks and junctions on purpose, so where it sits is a clue in itself. The measurements below for Mountain Lion are quoted from the wildlife agencies linked at the bottom of the page.

• Front: Round, about 3-4 inches long and 3-4.5 inches wide (another source gives 2.75-3.75 inches wide)
• Toes: 4 toes, teardrop-shaped toe pads
• Claws usually do not show
• Gait: Claws are retracted while walking and leave no mark; a track showing claw marks is not a Mountain Lion; stride about 20 inches

The Bobcat is much smaller, spotted, and has a short tail The Bobcat page has its own sign list.

A Mountain Lion's toe marks are arranged at a diagonal angle, while a dog's two front toes line up straight; dog tracks may show claw marks, while a Mountain Lion keeps its claws retracted while walking and leaves none The Domestic Dog page has its own sign list.

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.